Blog categorized as Branded Merchandise

The most powerful ROI from branded merch doesn’t live in spreadsheets. It lives in conversations, pride, and moments that compound into real brand equity.

Most companies treat merch vendors like ATMs. Send a request. Get a quote. Place an order. Done. This is why your merch ends up in donation bins or, worse, landfills.

A new logo feels like progress and that’s the trap. It’s tangible. You can point to it on business cards. Show it to your staff. Put it on merch and call it a win. But a beautiful logo without a story is just decoration which is the problem most marketing pros won’t admit.

Navy hoodies. Gray t-shirts. Maybe a branded tote if the accelerator is feeling fancy. Walk into any startup event and you’ll see fifty founders wearing the exact same uniform, like they all raided the same closet at a tech conference.

The guy on the phone sounded friendly enough. “We need some cheap swag for a trade show next month. What’s your best price on tote bags?”